Hartford, CT - Today, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman and Senator Richard Blumenthal along with Congressman John B. Larson and the Mayor of Hartford Pedro E. Segarra announced a $109,910 grant for the Governor’s Prevention Partnership’s Hartford Juvenile Mentoring Collaborative. The grant, awarded through the United States Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program (OJJDP), will help support mentoring initiatives seeking to reduce juvenile delinquency, gang involvement, academic failure, victimization, and school dropout rates.

The members of the Connecticut Delegation released the following in a joint statement: “Every child deserves to reach his or her full potential. Mentoring programs are a valuable source of strength for at-risk youth here in Connecticut, and we are very pleased to see this funding supporting them. We know the Governor’s Prevention Partnership will use this funding to help hundreds of youth in Connecticut and we look forward to seeing them continue this essential work in our communities.”

“Connecticut’s Capital City is only as strong as the potential of its young people,” said Mayor Segarra. “By investing in our students we are investing in the economic future of Hartford. I am grateful to the Connecticut Delegation and to the Governor’s Prevention Partnerships for their continued dedication to preparing our students for success.”

“We are thrilled to be awarded a grant that will positively affect the lives of hundreds of young people in Hartford,” said Jill K. Spineti, President of The Governor’s Prevention Partnership. “We are honored to be one of only two states nationally to receive the grant, and greatly appreciate the support and commitment of Congressman Larson’s office in helping us to gain joint congressional support during the application process. We look forward to enhancing the quality of mentoring services for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Formation of The Hartford Juvenile Mentoring Collaborative is a priority, and we stand fully committed to train interested mentors so they are prepared to be advocates and champions for those kids who need them most.”